ಅಜ್ಜಿ
ajji
The English word 'grandma' is translated into Kannada as ಅಜ್ಜಿ (ajji).
ಅಜ್ಜಿ is used to refer to one's own grandmother. It is also used as a respectful way to address elderly women in general.
Meaning: grandmother (informal) (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To show higher respect to a grandmother or an elderly woman, the plural honorific suffix is added to form ಅಜ್ಜಿಯರು.
How do you pronounce it?
ajji
Did you know?
- In many Kannada households, the word ಅಜ್ಜಿ is used for both the paternal and maternal grandmother without distinguishing between the two sides of the family.
- In traditional Kannada storytelling and folklore, ಅಜ್ಜಿ is often depicted as the keeper of oral history and the primary narrator of moral fables to children.
- The word's origins in Prakrit suggest that the term for 'grandmother' has been a fundamental part of the linguistic landscape for thousands of years.
Examples in context
- ನನ್ನ ಅಜ್ಜಿ ತುಂಬಾ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯವರು.nanna ajji tumbā oḷḷeyavaru.My grandma is very kind.
- ಅಜ್ಜಿ ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಳೆ?ajji elliddāḷe?Where is grandma?
Example conversation
Two children talking in a garden about their grandmother.
- ಅನ್ವಿತಾ Anvithaಅಜ್ಜಿ ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋದರು?ajji ellige hōdaru?Where did grandma go?
- ಕಿರಣ್ Kiranಅಜ್ಜಿ ಹತ್ತಿರಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.ajji hattirakke bandiddāre.Grandma is coming this way.
- ಅನ್ವಿತಾ Anvithaಅಜ್ಜಿ ನಮಗಾಗಿ ಏನಾದರೂ ತಂದಿದ್ದಾರಾ?ajji namagāgi ēnādarū tandiddārā?Did grandma bring something for us?
- ಕಿರಣ್ Kiranಹೌದು, ಅಜ್ಜಿ ಸಿಹಿ ತಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.haudu, ajji sihi tandiddāre.Yes, grandma brought sweets.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಅಜ್ಜಿ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
